More Maren Moments

So the last week our little darling has been quite the delight. A new tooth is finally peeking out on top, so Maren is a happy happy baby. (The first two came out on the bottom in month 8!) She is almost 11 months old now, and is interacting with the world around her every chance she gets. This morning we went to service with Grandma Connie for for Grandma-Show-Off-Time (I'm guessing one of the best parts of being a grandparent), and Maren was a hit. The choir was singing Messiah's Chorus and every time they sang, Maren's eyes and ears perked up, and she sang along, too, in her own special way (mostly squealing). Let's just say she doesn't have a problem drawing attention to herself. (Where did she get that from?)

In restaurants, she spends most of her time trying to turn around to see what's happening at the table behind us rather than eat. It's so fun to watch her, Andy and I spend our meals watching her watching the rest of the restaurant. (And then everyone else is watching us watching her, cause she is watching them.) It's quite the event.

New this week: climbing up the stairs! Uh-oh, we've got a mover on our hands. Up the entire set of stairs in one fell swoop. 'Atta girl! She mastered the skill with Grandma Koering, who after only two hours of playtime had mastered both stairs and walking behind a walker. Wow!

She accidentally had her first bit of cow's milk today -- a month early. We were sitting at a cafe with Grandma Connie after service this morning, and had put a few creamer containers in front of her to keep her hands busy. Of course, one found its way into her mouth. And of course, soon she had figured out how to get the good stuff OUT of there. WHOOPS! So determined.

And, she has found her new favorite activity: scooting backwards on a little toddler bike. She hasn't quite mastered the forward movement, but I'm sure that will come soon enough. Good exercise, and it bring her such joy. Life sure is great when you're 11-months old!!!